The conference was kicked off by the First Annual Rocky Mountain Cigar Festival -- a consumer-based tasting event of fine cigars, local food favorites, and beer and wine from local distilleries. More than 1200 people attended the Sunday event.

Smoker Friendly intended to give "tobacco retailers and manufacturers plenty to think about after they go back to their day-to-day businesses," according to Mary Szarmach, vice president. "2010 has been an exciting yet tumultuous year for the tobacco industry, but a gathering such as this is a great reminder that the future for these commodities is bright, and we are here to provide tobacco pleasure for our adult consumers."